Intramammary antibiotic treatment at the end of lactation for prophylaxis and treatment of intramammary infections in ewes.

Abstract

Ewes treated by intramammary infusion of cephapirin benzathine at the end of lactation were less likely to develop new intramammary infections by early in the next lactation. A controlled clinical trial involving 135 treated ewes and 145 untreated control ewes evaluated the prophylactic and treatment efficacy of intramammary antibiotic treatment of ewes at the time of weaning lambs. Milk samples for bacteriologic examination and identification of intramammary infections were collected at weaning of lambs and 1 to 3 weeks into the subsequent lactation. Untreated ewes were 2.6 times more likely than treated ewes to develop new intramammary infections between sampling times. Existence of an intramammary infection in one mammary gland significantly increased the risk of the other mammary gland becoming infected. Treatment also appeared to be associated with a higher cure rate of existing infections.

• Authors: W D Hueston, G J Boner, S L Baertsche
• Journal: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (J Am Vet Med Assoc) Vol. 194 Issue 8 Pg. 1041-4 (Apr 15 1989) ISSN: 0003-1488 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2651372 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Cephalosporins
• Cephapirin

Topics

• Animals
• Cephalosporins (therapeutic use)
• Cephapirin (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Clinical Trials as Topic (veterinary)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Infusions, Parenteral (veterinary)
• Lactation
• Mastitis (drug therapy, prevention & control, veterinary)
• Milk (microbiology)
• Pregnancy
• Sheep
• Sheep Diseases (drug therapy, prevention & control)
• Staphylococcal Infections (drug therapy, prevention & control, veterinary)